December 14, 2022 4:29 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Lawmakers leading the negotiations on a bill to fund the federal government for the current fiscal year say they’re reached agreement on a “framework” that should allow them to complete work on the bill over the next week and avoid a government shutdown. Congress faces a midnight Friday deadline to pass a spending bill to prevent a partial government shutdown. The two chambers are expected this week to pass a short-term measure to keep the government running until Dec. 23, which should give negotiators time to complete work on the full-year spending bill.
December 14, 2022 4:27 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Federal Reserve reinforced its inflation fight by raising its key interest rate for the seventh time this year and signaling more hikes to come. But the Fed announced a smaller hike than it had in its past four meetings at a time when inflation is showing signs of easing. Though lower than its previous three-quarter-point hikes, the latest move will further increase the costs of many consumer and business loans and the risk of a recession. The policymakers also signaled that they are prepared to raise their benchmark rate by an additional three-quarters of a point and leave it there through 2023. Some economists had expected that the Fed would project only an additional half-point increase.
December 14, 2022 4:25 am
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) – Ukrainian authorities say Russian drone strikes damaged five buildings in the capital, Kyiv, even as air defense thwarted many more. No casualties were reported. The strikes were a sign that Ukraine’s biggest city remains vulnerable to attacks that have devastated infrastructure and other population centers mostly in the country’s east and south in recent weeks. Ukraine’s president said the attack on the Kyiv area involved 13 Iranian-made drones, and a local official said the attack came in two waves. Iranian-made drones have been part or Russia’s firepower in a string of mortar, artillery, rocket and drone strikes across the country in recent weeks.
December 14, 2022 4:19 am
Chartiers Township Supervisors were greeted with an overflow crowd for their meeting Tuesday night. Approximately 300 people filled the Community Center to hear what supervisors had to say. Supervisors held the line on taxes. According to Township Manager Jodi Noble residents will not see a tax increase for the 29th consecutive year. The budget is a $11.9 million dollar spending plan that according to Noble is a needs budget and not a wants budget that includes a half million dollar road paving plan. Foremost on the minds of attendees for the meeting was what supervisors planned to do regarding bids for recycling that just might remove Downey Lemon Refuse as the refuse collector of choice for most of the township. In Chartiers Township recyclables are collected by a second contractor. Residents were in an uproar over the possibility that Lemon Refuse could be removed. Supervisors listened and rejected proposals to change refuse haulers. Bids for recycling came in over anticipated figures. Those bids were rejected and the recycling only proposals will be rebid.
December 14, 2022 2:56 am
State Police say charges, including driving under the influence, are pending in connection with a violent crash late Monday night in South Franklin Township. 31 year old Evan Knopp of Washington was flown by medical helicopter after his vehicle went into a home in the 500-block of Lagonda Road just after 10 p.m. State Police say he was traveling westbound at a high rate of speed and left the roadway, struck an embankment over overturned multiple times before hitting the brick wall on the east side of a home before coming to rest. Troopers say Knopp suffered serious injuries in the crash. There is no word on his condition. No one inside the home was injured. State Police say they are awaiting results of blood test before charges are filed. (Photo: Morris Township VFD FB page)
December 14, 2022 2:32 am
The Mon Valley Alliance and the Greater Charleroi Community Development Corporation gathered with Commonwealth Officials to announce a Neighborhood Partnership Program offered to Charleroi for the first time. The six year plan is worth $1.5 million and will be funded by four local and regional businesses. LaCarte Enterprises, Fourth Street Barbecue, Key Bank and UPMC Health Plan will collectively contribute $250,000 to the plan annually. In return the companies will earn a tax credit. Jamie Colecchi, CEO of the Mon Valley Alliance credits the hard work of business leaders, service program providers and private partners in landing the program and developing a program that will serve Charleroi’s unique needs. Contributor John LaCarte of LaCarte Enterprises, a fourth generation Charleroi corporation, said he is only too happy to help the program and develop the sense of pride that his grandfather had when he immigrated to this country and started his business in Charleroi. The Neighborhood Partnership Program is part of a $36 million tax credit program under the Neighborhood Assistance Program. In Charleroi it will drive housing development, downtown development and social services particularly with the growing immigrant population. (Front Left to Right: Ian Luluicci, KeyBank; Renee Bonari, KeyBank; Nathan B. Sommer, KeyBank; Dana Scarpino, UMPC Health Plan; Ali Doyle, the Governor’s Regional Representative; John LaCarte, LaCarte Enterprises; Jamie Colecchi, MVA; Bud Cook, PA State Representative)
December 13, 2022 4:54 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden has signed gay marriage legislation into law before a crowd of thousands, a ceremony that reflects growing acceptance of same-sex unions. “This law and the love it defends strike a blow against hate in all its forms,” Biden said Tuesday on the South Lawn of the White House. “And that’s why this law matters to every single American.” Lawmakers from both parties were there, as well as first lady Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff. Singers Sam Smith and Cyndi Lauper performed. (Photo: AP)
December 13, 2022 4:24 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Inflation in the United States slowed again last month in the latest sign that price increases are gradually cooling despite the pressures they continue to inflict on American households. Consumer prices rose 7.1% in November from a year ago. That was down from 7.7% in October and a recent peak of 9.1% in June. It was the fifth straight slowdown. On a month-to-month basis, the consumer price index rose just 0.1% in November, down from 0.4% in October. Even with last month’s further easing of inflation, the Federal Reserve plans to keep raising interest rates. On Wednesday, the Fed is set to boost its benchmark rate for a seventh time this year.
December 13, 2022 4:22 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Scientists announced that they have for the first time produced more energy in a fusion reaction than was used to ignite it. The achievement marks a major breakthrough in the decades-long quest to harness the process that powers the sun. The Energy Department said Tuesday that researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California achieved the result, which is called net energy gain. Net energy gain has been an elusive goal because fusion happens at such high temperatures and pressures that it is incredibly difficult to control. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and other officials say the breakthrough will pave the way for advancements in national defense and the future of clean power.
December 13, 2022 4:21 am
BEIJING (AP) – Some Chinese universities say they will allow students to finish the semester from home in hopes of reducing the potential for a bigger COVID-19 outbreak during the January Lunar New Year travel rush. It wasn’t clear how many schools were taking part. But universities in Shanghai and nearby cities said students would be given the option of either returning home early or staying on campus and undergoing testing every 48 hours. Universities have been the scene of frequent lockdowns over the past three years, occasionally leading to clashes between the authorities and students. Tuesday’s announcements came as China begins relaxing its strict “zero-COVID” policy, allowing people with mild symptoms to recuperate at home.
